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REVIEW: HOTEL INDIGO COVENTRY

If you’re looking for a stylish and comfortable stay in Coventry, Hotel Indigo is a fantastic choice. Situated right by the train station and less than a 10-minute walk to the city centre, the hotel boasts a prime location that is perfect for both business and leisure travellers.

First Impressions

Walking into the hotel, I was immediately drawn to the sleek and modern design that seamlessly celebrates Coventry’s rich heritage. From medieval influences on the city’s vibrant 20th-century music scene, the hotel immerses guests in its cultural setting. A vintage car was displayed in the lobby, a real talking point – if my dad had been with me, he would have been Googling every detail about it trying to work out the year of the car – even though the information was clearly displayed! Instead, my friend Kelly pointed out the umbrella rental service, which was a nice touch.

Checking in was a breeze – efficient and friendly, taking just under 8 minutes. The receptionist asked about our parking, which we had conveniently arranged at the train station’s multi-storey car park for £8 per 24 hours. Payment can be made at the pay machines on the ground floor or validated at the hotel. Room key was passed on and we went straight up to our room. I loved the interior of the elevator going up, covered in newspaper articles featuring Coventry’s cycle trade – a really nice touch.

The Room

We booked a Super King Suite, and wow – it was huge! The room was homely yet uncluttered, featuring a luxury bed, smart TV, safe, free WiFi, complimentary still and sparkling water, artisan snacks, and tea and coffee-making facilities. A dedicated writing desk behind the bed provided a perfect workspace, while a cosy seating area was ideal for relaxing with a cup of coffee.

The bathroom was a dream – beautifully lit, featuring a stunning roll-top bath and a spacious walk-in shower. Fluffy towels and premium toiletries were readily available, making for a luxurious pampering session. I can confirm the bath was pretty sensational – easily fit two people in there, actually, more so three people!

The view – there wasn’t much to see due to the location, so when I looked out the window, I could only see a few offices, but the size of the room made up for that! Storage space was ample, offering plenty of room to put away our clothes. Tissues, paper, iron, hairdryer – all provided, which was pretty useful as I forgot all of those!

A Taste of Coventry at Cogs Bar & Kitchen

In the evening, we dined at Cogs Bar & Kitchen, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, which celebrates local artisan craftsmanship. The atmosphere was subtly lively, perfect for a Friday night. A standout feature was the self-serve wine wall – guests could pour their own red, white, or rosé wine, adding a fun and interactive element to the dining experience.

For starters, we ordered Crispy Beef Strips (£7.00) and Crispy Squid (£7.00), both beautifully fried and full of flavour. For mains, I opted for Fish & Chips (£17.00), a generous portion of haddock in lemon crispy batter with hand-cut chips and crushed peas, while Kelly had The Knockout Burger (£18.00), featuring two beef patties, American cheese, bacon, jalapeños, caramelised onions, smoked BBQ sauce, and lettuce – all in a brioche bun. It was named in honour of Coventry boxer Bradley Goldsmith – pretty cool hey! Both dishes were excellent, and the portions were more than satisfying.

Despite being full, we couldn’t resist dessert, sharing a Baked Vanilla Cheesecake (£8.00) with raspberry sorbet and berry compote – a sweet, fluffy, and delicate end to our meal. After dinner, we enjoyed a couple of cocktails in the lounge before heading back to our room for a peaceful night’s sleep.

The ambiance was perfect – it wasn’t noisy at all. Considering there were quite a few people in there, it was quite tame for a Friday night. Service was sharp in the restaurant and at the bar. They had TVs displaying sports and played light, delicate music in the lounge. Getting a bit tired (I think it was the food that was knocking us out!), we decided to take our cocktails upstairs and enjoy them in the room while watching TV until we drifted off.

A Restful Night

I usually wake up multiple times during the night, but not here – the super king bed was so spacious and comfortable that I slept straight through. Even though two people were sharing, I felt like Kelly was miles away! Despite the hotel’s proximity to the train station, noise wasn’t an issue at all.

Breakfast Experience

The breakfast, included in our stay, was served buffet-style in the restaurant, offering everything from a traditional English breakfast to continental options, including a gluten-free section. The full English featured locally sourced sausages, crispy bacon, and free-range eggs, while healthier options included fresh fruit, yoghurts, and granola. The freshly baked pastries and pancakes were a perfect sweet start to the day. You can also order additional breakfast dishes such as porridge, baked eggs, and more.

A thoughtful touch was having coffee and tea served at the table, rather than queuing at a self-service machine. Fruit juice is provided and ready-made smoothies that were delicious! Service was very good, making sure tea & coffee was topped up and we had everything we needed. Breakfast is available daily from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m, giving plenty of time for both early risers and those who like a lie-in. I believe if you wanted to add breakfast onto your stay its its £20pp.

Additional Amenities

Hotel Indigo also offers a well-equipped gym for those wanting to stay active, a versatile meeting room for business travellers, and daily housekeeping. The hotel is pet-friendly, smoke-free, and provides free WiFi throughout.

Check-in: 3:00 p.m.

Check-out: 11:00 a.m.

Minimum check-in age: 18

Total floors: 5

Total rooms: 101

Accessible rooms: 5

Final Thoughts

Our stay at Hotel Indigo Coventry was fantastic. The hotel offered everything we needed – a peaceful night’s sleep, an ideal location, and excellent on-site amenities. Whether you’re a business traveller, a couple looking for a city break, or just someone wanting to enjoy the vibrant Coventry scene, this hotel is a top choice. I would absolutely stay here again!

Book your stay at Hotel Indigo in Coventry

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Hotel stay Uncategorized

REVIEW: HOTEL INDIGO IN CHESTER

Hotel Indigo Chester is a contemporary boutique hotel in Chester city centre, designed to reflect the city’s unique character, from its iconic architecture to the historic Chester Racecourse, the oldest in the UK. Hotel Indigo Chester is just a short walk from Chester’s famous Rows, extensive shopping district, and the 2,000-year-old city walls. Having not been to Chester for quite some time, I was so excited to visit and stay at a great hotel brand that I have had many wonderful experiences with!

PLEASE NOTE: THIS WAS AN INVITE; however, my views are my own.

When searching for highly-rated hotels in Chester, it’s no surprise that Hotel Indigo ranks among the best. With its exceptional Forge restaurant, a cosy bar, and 75 uniquely styled air-conditioned king bedded rooms, the hotel is the perfect base for exploring the city, given its convenient central location. Arriving by car, the only downside of this hotel is the absence of dedicated parking. However, this wasn’t an issue at all as there are plenty of nearby car parks, and we opted for the Chester Browns Yard Car Park, just a five-minute walk away. The train station is also conveniently located just 10 minutes away.

Upon entering the hotel, we were warmly greeted by friendly faces. Check-in was seamless, and as we explored the hotel, we had a quick look at The Forge restaurant that we would be dining in later and the cosy lounge area.

We were booked into a King Deluxe room, and as we entered, we were greeted by a long corridor leading to a spacious and luxurious room. It was bright and inviting, making us feel instantly at home. The room, located at the front of the hotel, remained serene despite occasional pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Furnished with a huge King-sized bed, a work station, a Nespresso coffee machine, fresh towels, toiletries, and plush dressing gowns, the room left no detail overlooked! The stocked fridge offered a selection of soft and alcoholic drinks. I particularly appreciated the art deco cups and saucers, perfect for enjoying numerous cups of tea!

The bathroom was equally impressive, featuring a fantastic waterfall shower that my partner, being 6 ft 6, thoroughly enjoyed! With ample mirrors, easy-to-use air conditioning, and a Smart TV, the room exuded a beautifully decorated ambiance. Paying homage to the Chester Racecourse, the room’s décor added a charming touch of personality. We relaxed in the room before dinner, getting into our robes and listening to music on the TV before we started to get ready for our dinner downstairs.

FORGE RESTAURANT

The hotel shares its space with The Forge, run by Head Chef Dan Regan. Offering modern British cuisine at its finest, The Forge utilizes world-class ingredients to craft simply delicious dishes. The seasonal menu boasts a variety of options, complemented by an extensive wine, cocktail, and beer list. Highly recommended by locals when we sought Chester recommendations, The Forge did not disappoint.

The restaurant started off quiet, gradually filling up as the evening progressed. We started of with a bottle of Pyros Appellation Malbec, which we found irresistible, especially paired with our mains. Fresh bread was put down on the table followed by our starters: Cured North Sea salmon with buttermilk, radish, wasabi, and artichoke, alongside haggis scotch eggs. Both dishes were delicious, especially the salmon offering a particularly fresh and well-seasoned flavour and was just a stunning dish.

For our mains, we opted for steak, selecting our own 40–60 day dry-aged steaks from The Forge’s dry age fridges. We chose the 850g ribeye steak and added a touch of Truffle & Chive butter. When the generously portioned steak arrived, our mouths hit the table by its size and appearance, even James was starting to sweat a bit at the size of it! But, it was absolutely delightful! The meat melted in our mouths, and paired with the truffle butter, it was beautiful. Accompanied by sides of dirty mash and glazed chantenay carrots, it was so enjoyable and staff added to that enjoyment by the fantastic service they offered throughout our dining experience especially helping out with choice of drinks and what paired best with our dishes.

As the evening progressed, and the restaurant started to get more busy there was a great buzz through out the restaurant. We was then Invited to the bar for cocktails after our meal, I couldn’t resist ordering my favourite, an espresso martini, which was impeccably smooth and sweet! Upon my partner’s request for a coconut-infused dessert cocktail, the talented bartenders concocted a delightful coconut espresso martini, now I am not a fan of coconut but my god, that was some great cocktail! We also enjoyed a few negronis and spritz cocktails, the bartenders were great and told us that if there was any cocktail we wanted they could make it, so we gave them a few challenges and they passed with flying colours! After a great meal and a couple of drinks, we decided to head upstairs to bed.

We awoke at 9am, having enjoyed a restful night’s sleep. I felt rejuvenated, having slept like a baby, while my partner jokingly struggled to get up from the comfortable bed “The best night’s sleep hes had in a long time” despite my reluctance to leave, the rumblings of my stomach reminded me of our breakfast reservations.

Breakfast was bustling, offering a variety of locally sourced fresh produce, a continental buffet, and classic à-la-carte options cooked to order by skilled breakfast chefs. The continental section featured cereals, fresh fruit, and pastry options, while hot dishes such as English breakfasts and salmon on toast were available via table service. Though our breakfast was included in the room rate, I noted that it would cost £15 if booked in advance or £20 if booked on the day and served in The Forge. Breakfast prices for children under 4 were complimentary, while those under 12 were £10. Given our slightly sore heads from the previous night’s indulgence, we opted for the continental breakfast and scrambled eggs on toast, which proved to be a light and flavourful choice, nice and easy on the stomachs! Tea and coffee were available aswell as fresh fruit juice that we enjoyed.

As we packed our bags and reflected on our time in Chester, we had such a great time and we felt like Hotel Indigo was a great full package hotel that offers a lot to their guests. For those seeking great value for money in a prime location to explore the best of Chester, Hotel Indigo is the ideal choice. From outstanding customer service to spacious yet relaxing rooms and exquisite dining options, Hotel Indigo exceeded our expectations. James and I vowed to return to Chester and explore more, with Hotel Indigo being a definite must-book. With prices ranging from £130, the value for money is exceptional, making it an absolute steal.

Book your stay at Hotel Indigo in Chester

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Hotel stay Hotels lifestyle review Uncategorized

REVIEW: DELUXE SPA DAY AT THE MALVERN SPA HOTEL

When someone mentions a spa break to me, I automatically get this weird feeling of dread overwhelming me. I don’t know if it’s because I am getting older, but it takes way too long to fit into my swimming costume, and it’s a full-time job maintaining my lady bits that I just think I can’t be bothered. However, I have been eyeing up the Malvern Spa Hotel for quite some time now, and in the past year or so, working for myself like an absolute maniac has caught up with me, and I just need a break. So when they asked me to review their spa break, I absolutely jumped at it.

DELUXE SPA DAY PACKAGE AT THE MALVERN

Book your Spa day at The Malvern here

I have to disclose this was gifted; however, my views are my own.

When the hustle and bustle of daily life start taking its toll, there’s nothing quite like a spa retreat to restore your sense of balance and tranquillity. Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Malvern Hills, The Malvern Spa beckons with promises of relaxation and rejuvenation. I recently had the pleasure of experiencing their Deluxe Stay package priced at £357, which includes spa access, a 60-minute treatment, £30 per person towards dinner, breakfast, and an overnight stay in their executive room.

Upon arriving at The Malvern, the check-in process was a breeze. Within minutes, I found myself in the ladies’ changing room, trying to squeeze into my swimming costume. I was equipped with a free spa robe and comfy slippers. After a 10-minute struggle with my Boohoo swimsuit, I was ready to experience the Malvern Spa!

As I entered the spa, I couldn’t believe how quiet it was! There were quite a few people in there, all spaced out, and it was just so peaceful. The highlight of The Malvern’s offerings was undoubtedly its spa facilities. You had the outdoor pool that transported you to a holiday-like setting, seamlessly connected to an indoor hydrotherapy pool for those seeking a more sheltered swim. However, one of the most memorable moments was reserving a spa pod. These secluded retreats were equipped with built-in speakers, offering an added layer of privacy and comfort. Ordering beverages, including tea, coffee, and cocktails, directly from our pod or sunbed enhanced the overall experience. The weather wasn’t the best, so it was great to take shelter there, and the staff also presented us with fresh fruit and coffee, which was lovely!

The spa boasted a range of facilities, including a crystal steam room, salt grotto, herb sauna, and kelo sauna. We enjoyed all of these, and it was great to see a completely spotless spa! Impeccable cleanliness throughout; the staff were diligent in maintaining a spotless environment, which some previous spa days I’ve been to lacked.

After a few hours of relaxation, we headed down for our treatments. Our choice of treatments was nothing short of sensational. I opted for the Elemis Full Body Massage and the Biotec 2.0 Cryo2 Sculpt Facial. The massage was a blissful experience, melting away tension and leaving me feeling utterly relaxed. The facial, on the other hand, left me feeling like a brand new person. Not going to lie, when I had weird vibrations and freezing cold suction thingamabobs on my face, I thought, “What the hell have I done?” Suddenly, I had flashing images of that TV show “Botched,” but luckily, the lady who was doing the treatment was supportive and gave me confidence that I was in good hands. It was as if the stresses of the world had been gently lifted from my shoulders. I never felt so fresh in my life, and when I greeted my partner, he couldn’t believe how much of a difference the facial made to my skin! I even took a glimpse of myself in the mirror later on and thought, “Who is that good-looking chick? Oh, it’s me!”

After our spa indulgence, we retired to one of The Malvern’s Executive Rooms. These spacious sanctuaries boasted modern amenities and a surprise highlight: a television in the bathroom! The bed was comfy, there was plenty of space, and the tea and coffee facilities were spot on; we just couldn’t find anything wrong with the room. A soothing shower later, we descended to the Grovewood restaurant for dinner. The Grovewood restaurant offered a great variety of dishes from Crispy Gnocchi to the Don Buri, and we really enjoyed our meal here. We paired some of our food with one of the manager’s signature cocktails, which was gorgeous! After a few cocktails, we started to get tired, so we went up for an early night.

A peaceful night’s sleep later, we awoke to an early morning dip in the pool. The sun’s warm embrace on the water felt like a mini-vacation in itself; it honestly felt like I was on holiday. Following our swim, we headed to breakfast, where we were treated to an array of options, including kippers and a full English breakfast. A nice, light breakfast to start our day, and my favourite dish was the kippers, very tasty! It was a lovely ending to our spa break.

As we packed our bags and checked out, I started to feel a bit gutted we was leaving. The experience had passed far too quickly, and it felt like the rejuvenating break I had longed for. My stay at The Malvern Spa was a refreshing escape from the demands of everyday life. The outstanding spa facilities, delightful dining, and attentive service left me feeling rejuvenated and stress-free. If you’re seeking a soul-nourishing escape that leaves you feeling like a new person, I wholeheartedly recommend The Malvern Spa’s Deluxe Stay package. Starting at £357 for one night, based on two people sharing a twin or double Executive Room, it’s an investment in your well-being that’s well worth every penny.

To book your deluxe spa break, head to The Malvern’s website here: https://www.themalvernspa.com/offer/deluxe-stay-spa-break/

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Birmingham Hotel stay

REVIEW: AC HOTEL BIRMINGHAM

Located in the heart of Birmingham in The Mailbox where you have restaurants, bars, shops and the picturesque canals of Birmingham on your doorstep, you will find The AC Hotel which is part of the Marriott hotel group. Well designed throughout, with plenty to offer and drawing in guests that are looking for something a bit more than just staying in a “chained hotel”

I have stayed in many Marriott hotels, all have been very disappointing except for AC Hotel which doesn’t strike me as a typical “chained” old-fashioned Marriott hotel, it’s quite literally the opposite. As I step through the doors of the hotel I am greeted with Modernisation, sleek design throughout and CLASS. No victorian patterned chairs, no worn-out carpets and certainly no mahogany, It was almost like stepping into an upmarket business class lounge at the airport which, I really liked!

Checking into the hotel is very quick and easy, I found the staff very pleasant, informative and welcoming, I spoke to a young girl at the reception who was ever so lovely and accommodating. I was checking in for two nights (Thursday to Saturday) in a Canal view superior guest room with a queen bed for £126.48.

The hotel oozed sleek modern decor throughout the hotel and it didn’t stop when I got to the room. I noticed straight away that the room was big and had plenty of space, you could fit a party of twenty in there easily. Simple, modern and classy, straight away I felt relaxed and comfortable.
The room as well as the hotel was completely spotless, it was so clean I could see my reflection in the sink and there was not a coffee smear in sight!

The queen bed was huge and was big enough to fit my 6 ft 6 partner which was a huge success as sometimes he does struggle to fit in beds [Insert troll face] The room provided all the useful facilities that you would expect and more including a very fancy Nespresso machine, Sky TV, bathrobes and slippers. The room also provided a lovely view of the Canal that was stunning to see at night, lovely to watch Birmingham glistering at night. The room was right on the front just above the restaurants and bars in which I did wonder, would I be able to sleep at all as Birmingham nightlife is quite animated…however I didn’t hear one single Birmingham accent nor clinking of glasses/bottles BUT it might be a different story on a Saturday night…

The only thing that was missing from the room was wine glasses and of course, this is not essential but after a busy day at work It was time for wine so I contacted reception and within five minutes two wine glasses were delivered to the door.

In regard’s to CO-VID restriction’s, there is a list of rule’s and information guides from the hotel which inform’s guest’s of all the health and safety procedure’s the hotel has taken to provide a safe stay to all guest’s. There are sign’s to tell guest’s to wear mask’s, hand sanitiser station’s and social distancing rule’s carried out throughout the hotel. There was not one time I felt uncomfortable or unsafe in this hotel.

At the Hotel, they have a hotel bar and the AC lounge area where they serve breakfast, an array of tapas, afternoon teas and signature cocktail’s. I didn’t get to explore the lounge due to CO-VID restriction’s however I have tried out the tapas and cocktail’s in the lounge on a previous Blogger’s event which was superb! If you like to read my review please check it out here. They do have an on-site Starbucks if you’re a busy bee in the morning’s and need a caffeine pick me up, however, if you’re not a fan of Starbucks there is plenty of Independent coffees shops within a five-minute walking distance from the AC Hotel such as Medicine Bakery and Cocoa by Ali. In regards to travelling to the Hotel, They do not have a hotel car park however The Mailbox doe’s have one and AC Hotel guests receive a 15% discount. Grand Central Station is about a 5-10 minute walk and there are also bus stops nearby.

View from our room

Overall I had a really lovely stay at The AC Hotel, I couldn’t fault it and although certain service’s were not available due to CO-VID I still managed to have an enjoyable stay as well as importantly, a safe stay. The staff are hard-working and strive to take care of their guest’s, I have to say this is some of the best customer service I have ever experienced at a hotel. A two-night stay for £126.48 in the heart of Birmingham surrounded by great hospitality and shopping facilities with excellent customer service and a spacious and functional room is certainly nothing to frown about, I was more than satisfied. I left feeling refreshed, full of energy and pretty darn happy with my stay with AC and I continue to look forward to my next visit with AC.

BAB

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Birmingham Hotel stay

REVIEW: HOTEL INDIGO AT THE CUBE IN BIRMINGHAM

Located in the iconic Cube building in the Mailbox you will find Hotel Indigo, offering sleek and stylish modern boutique rooms with stunning panoramic views of Birmingham. If there is one place to stay and see what Brum has to offer, it is definitely Hotel Indigo, get ready for a fabulous experience that won’t burn a hole in your wallet and will make you fall in love with Brum more!

Hotel Indigo boasts an impressive selection of rooms on the 24th floor of The Cube, from standard comfortable doubles to eye-dropping feature rooms with skyline views of Birmingham. I have been lucky enough to stay in both room’s in the past month, I have been living the suite life baby and here is how I found it! For my Birthday I decided to stay in one of Hotel Indigo’s Superior King Rooms with a balcony which was purchased via Booking.com for £122.

Arriving at Hotel Indigo, straight away you know you are in a prime location. Surrounded by bars, restaurants and retail, convenience at its best. If you’re arriving by train it’s only a 10-minute walk through the gorgeous Mailbox. For guests who are travelling by car, Hotel Indigo does not have a car park however when staying with the Hotel you do receive a 15% discount at The Mailbox car park which is a short 5-minute walk away. Checking in is very simple here, a few little scribbles and show off a card and you’re on your way to your room. The lady at the reception desk was very lovely, she noticed it was my birthday and wished me a Happy Birthday as well as giving me two complimentary drinks token’s in the Marco Pierre Restaurant on 25th Floor to celebrate, what a treat!

CO-VID measures have been put in place here, hand sanitising stations are provided around the hotel, face coverings are required, deep cleaning off rooms and social distancing measures are all put in place, and I have to say I felt very safe and comfortable at all times in the hotel. The hotel rooms are on the 24th floor, and there are lifts or if you really want a workout…the dreaded stairs, in which I wouldn’t recommend!

Please note that The Club Spa is not open due to CO-VID

SUPERIOR KING FEATURE ROOM WITH BALCONY 

As I opened the door, my jaw dropped…Wow, now this is unique. The room oozes coolness throughout, it’s quirky, different and oh wait…EVEN PROVIDES BALLOONS AND COOKIES?!

That’s right people, I got birthday balloons, cookies and even a lovely birthday card from the staff, what a lovely gesture and had me beaming with joy when I read it.

The room was spotless, couldn’t fault it at all. The bathroom is big with a rainfall shower in which you could fit the rule of six in there and offers luxurious spa toiletries. The room also included a fancy coffee machine with coffee pods…my own coffee machine for the night? this could be dangerous…but so worth it! The room also provides tea facilities, robes and slippers, complimentary bottled water, massive plasma screen with a media hub (YouTube on tap Bab) and lots of wardrobe space. Plenty of towels and they also mentioned that if we needed any more there is a phone in the room to use and the staff can bring some more up. Plastic cups for drinks are supplied as well as take away cups if we fancied taking our coffee away with us or drink it outside on the balcony.

Let’s get to the best bit, the Balcony and wow, this is just sensational. Our private balcony showcases panoramic views of Birmingham (Get those EXTRA Instagram photos) chairs are provided so it was perfect at night in our robes, drinking our espressos watching Birmingham at night. Living the life of luxury for one night for just £122 for two people with a balcony offering beautiful skyline views of Birmingham is quite hard to find in Birmingham, However, Hotel Indigo provides this.

We headed out for Dinner and came back to the Marco Pierre Restaurant on level 25 to spend our drinks vouchers, it was quite quiet on Sunday, they offered outdoor seating that was of course, spaced out from other diners and heaters were provided. The view from the restaurant is also spectacular, and personally I think this is one of the best views of Birmingham. A variety of drinks are offer here from sassy cocktails to spicy spirits, a drink with a view at Marco Pierre’s is a must.

We did have an option of booking into the restaurant however we already had plans on the night to go elsewhere and already booked in for breakfast at another restaurant, The option is there for you when you check-in if you want to book breakfast which will cost £12.95 to add on to your stay.

Heading back to the room we decided to get in our robes and enjoy more of the view with our espressos then headed in for a film in our King size bed that was just glorious to sleep in. No noise disturbance, we both had a very fantastic and peaceful night’s sleep. I will metion that I do struggle a lot sleeping and getting comfortable due to back problems however I had no problems and I felt so comfortable, I wanted to live in it forever! 

VERDICT

Living the luxury suite life on a budget at Hotel Indigo is something that will stay with me for a long time, for what you get for the money it is astounding, we all deserve treats especially with this crazy pandemic and so, I would recommend treating yourselves to a stay at Hotel Indigo especially in the feature/balcony rooms. Value for money is astounding, I have stayed in a couple of hotel’s in Birmingham for around about the £130 mark, and they do not come close to what Hotel Indigo offers to their guests. Smaller rooms, no luxuries and certainly no views that come close to this hotel so staying at Hotel Indigo you’re guaranteed amazing value for your money.

A massive thank you to the staff at the hotel for making my birthday so magical this year especially with the current circumstances, they still managed to deliver above and beyond. Hats off to you all for delivering exceptional service, sticking to Co-vid guidelines and ensuring the safety of their guests. A stay at Hotel Indigo is essential when visiting Birmingham, guaranteed to give all guests a stunning and memorable experience without burning a hole in their pocket!

Thank you to Hotel Indigo in Birmingham, I’ll be back again very soon!

If you would like to book a stay at Hotel Indigo please head to their website here

If you would like to see more of the room I stayed in then you can head to my Instagram where I made a IG Reel of my stay

BAB X

Categories
Hotel stay review

BLOC HOTEL REVIEW-THE JEWELLERY QUARTER

Located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter is a sleek modern hotel with a pinch of neon that oozes Vice City Vibes. Bloc Hotel offers travellers a comfortable nights sleep in Japanese pod inspired rooms that to some might feel it’s a tight squeeze but to others may feel its compact, affordable and convenient. Surrounded by the historical yet animated atmosphere of the Jewellery Quarter, this hotel offers “affordable luxury stays” to the traveller who doesn’t have to go far for necessities.

Arriving at Bloc hotel that is slapped right in the middle of Snow Hill and the Jewellery Quarter train station offering a perfect location for transport links,restaurants, attractions and bars. Once we checked in and showed photo I.D we proceeded to our vista room on the third floor. Upon entering the room the first thing that jumps out at you is the size, it’s a bit on the small side. The second thing that stands out is how spotless the room is, nice clean sheets, fresh towels and not one little squirrel hair in sight. The bathroom (wet room) is also very small equipped with a monsoon shower and the essence of sandlewood.The room offers king-sized beds that are the same width of the room , ambient mood lighting (GTA Vice City vibes), toiletries such as soap, body wash and shampoo, HD TV, climate control system and WIFI. I also had a nice view from the window of the BT tower and some of the offices in Snow Hill. There is not a wardrobe in the room but there is a couple of coat hangers and hooks plus room under the bed to store away your travel bags/suitcases.

Once settled in I decided to look for food and referred to my Around the Bloc guide that’s in the room packed full of information on all the restaurants and bars in the area plus you can get discounts when you stay with Bloc! You dont have to go far to find a place that offers good grub round here, just opposite the Bloc hotel is Otto Wood Fired Pizza and located down the road in Saint Pauls Square is several eaterys and bars that are worth a pop in such as Saint Kitchen, Saint Pauls House and a golden oldie of mine: Actress & Bishop.

After a couple of red wines I headed back to the hotel just in time for bed at 10pm like the right old fart that I am. I had the neon purple “mood” lighting on with the blind open revealing a pretty cosmopolitan view of the thriving Colmore Row business district. The bed was very comfortable, duvet not too heavy and the tempature was just right. My retirement plans to bed soon changed as Ryan Gosling came on my TV screen in Nicholas Winding Refn’s “Drive” so I decided to stay up and dribble. Heading towards midnight there was a couple of “rumpy pumpy” noises in the night from next door but what do you expect the hotel is cheaper than a travelodge and well, we are all human hey? This wouldnt be the first hotel to of seen a bit of action and it certainly wont be the last. After I stopped giggling, I managed to fall asleep and my goodness, what a sleep I had, I woke up like bloody Sleeping Beauty. I suffer with a bit of back pain now and then but I felt like the mattress actually did me some good, for the past 3 years I have woken up with shooting pains in my back so it was amazing to wake up with no pain for once.

Bottled water is included in the rooms however there is no tea and coffee facilities, there is a coffee machine downstairs in the reception area however the downside to this is that you have to pay with cash. As we are leaning more towards going cashless nowadays, this may cause a right itch in the hoohar however there are many local coffee shops by the hotel that can ease the coffee morning jitters but it would of been nice to wake up to coffee in my room.

Checking out was very easy, hand in the hotel key and leave, simples. The staff were very polite and straight away they asked If I enjoyed my stay. A pleasant stay at a hotel I wouldn’t have thought to stay in but I would recommend Bloc as it offers luxurious yet affordable rooms, a great location bursting with lively nightlife, swanky restaurants and buzzing bars plus positive customer service. This hotel may be best suited for people who commute or fancy a budget stay in Brum for the night with prices ranging from £40-£80, you really can’t argue with the price even over a cup of coffee. They also have a range of bigger rooms on availability that I can confirm, do have tea and coffee facilities so its just the vista rooms that don’t provide this.

A comfortable night’s stay in a lovely modern hotel in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter where a room for the night didn’t have to burn a hole in my purse, would I book again? Of course I would, Bloc is an absolute treat for the price.

Please note this was a gifted experience by Bloc Hotel Birmingham, if you wish to use any of my photography please get in touch.

AMY ELIZA